Transgenderism in Japan
Aya Kamikawa- Reformation in the land of conformity
Scholars have suggested that in the modern Japanese society, transgendered individuals (transgendered individuals and transsexuals are interchangeable and are referred to in the context of the Japanese society) are only valuable to the entertainment industry (Mackie 412, McLelland 167-168). In a country where mainstream conformity is promoted and preferred, any career outside of the entertainment and sex industries would seem impossible to pursue for a transgendered individual (Mackie 411-412). While transgendered individuals are more than welcome in the entertainment and sex industry due to the curiosity of the audiences and clients (Mackie 412, Mitsuhashi 211-215, Rosario 94-95), in the mainstream society the individuals tend to keep their transgender identities hidden (Mackie 414-415). An area that remains undiscussed is the relationship between transgenderism and politics. My research will give particular attention to Aya Kamikawa-the first and only transgendered individual elected as the municipal official in Tokyo, which happened in 2003, and her influence in the government regarding the transgendered community. I will examine her struggles and achievements through various news articles and blogs. Is having a transgendered politician beneficial to the Japanese transgendered community? How difficult and inconvenient is it for transgendered individuals to live in the country and how did Kamikawa improve their living conditions? And how does the general public react to a transsexual government official? Do they approve or disapprove? Background Information on Aya Kamikawa In 2003, a transgendered individual challenged the extremely conservative and conformative Japanese society by registering as an election candidate under the gender that’s listed differently from her family registry; her name is Aya Kamikawa (Setagaya). Kamikawa was born as a male in 1968. He worked in the PR (Public
Scholars have suggested that in the modern Japanese society, transgendered individuals (transgendered individuals and transsexuals are interchangeable and are referred to in the context of the Japanese society) are only valuable to the entertainment industry (Mackie 412, McLelland 167-168). In a country where mainstream conformity is promoted and preferred, any career outside of the entertainment and sex industries would seem impossible to pursue for a transgendered individual (Mackie 411-412). While transgendered individuals are more than welcome in the entertainment and sex industry due to the curiosity of the audiences and clients (Mackie 412, Mitsuhashi 211-215, Rosario 94-95), in the mainstream society the individuals tend to keep their transgender identities hidden (Mackie 414-415). An area that remains undiscussed is the relationship between transgenderism and politics. My research will give particular attention to Aya Kamikawa-the first and only transgendered individual elected as the municipal official in Tokyo, which happened in 2003, and her influence in the government regarding the transgendered community. I will examine her struggles and achievements through various news articles and blogs. Is having a transgendered politician beneficial to the Japanese transgendered community? How difficult and inconvenient is it for transgendered individuals to live in the country and how did Kamikawa improve their living conditions? And how does the general public react to a transsexual government official? Do they approve or disapprove? Background Information on Aya Kamikawa In 2003, a transgendered individual challenged the extremely conservative and conformative Japanese society by registering as an election candidate under the gender that’s listed differently from her family registry; her name is Aya Kamikawa (Setagaya). Kamikawa was born as a male in 1968. He worked in the PR (Public